Dealing With Stress In Nursing
It’s nurse license renewal season and in Indiana, on the application, nurses must answer if they have been reprimanded, terminated or disciplined in their capacity as a health care provider.
The Nursing Board even requires nurses to disclose if they’ve had attendance issues because, even though I would argue that’s not in the capacity of a health care provider, anyone can have an attendance issue. However, the Board seems to think it is of concern because it could mean patient abandonment.
After meeting with several nurses and hearing their stories about what happened, there were comments among many of them that they were under stress, had other things going on in their life or a crazy, busy time in their workplace.
Many have told me that they just didn’t have the tools to deal with the situation. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to give nurses some tools that they can use when they’re experiencing a difficult time in their life or in their practice. Let’s pinpoint some of the key items.
- Many nurses believe they have to do everything themselves. It’s only natural to feel that way because we’re care givers. We take care of everyone else, but ourselves.
However, in times of stress, the most important thing that you can do is to take care of yourself because it allows you to take care of others. So, fill your cup first so that you’re better able to give to others.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Think about it. If someone doesn’t ask for your help, are you not bothered, even a little bit? Don’t you wish that they would have asked? You would have been more than happy to help them. And the same is true for you.
People really want to help and contribute to you but, if you don’t ask them, you’re denying them that opportunity.
- Come up with a mantra that helps you get through the day. Mine is “I’m positively expecting great results no matter what I see in front of me. The universe is rearranging itself right now for my best interests.”
For whatever reason, when I’m stressed and busy, I just think of that mantra, recite it and I know that I am not alone. The universe has my back and I WILL get through this because things are happening for a reason and for my best interests.
- Take a break. Remove yourself from the situation. Breathe … take some deep breaths to calm yourself and ask, right now, is there anything happening in this present moment?
Often, we are thinking about the future or the past. But, in this present moment, right now, is there anything happening?
No!
We create the stress by thinking about the past or thinking about the future. By staying in the present and re-centering ourselves by taking a break from the situation will help us get through the day.
As nurses, we think if we just power though it, it will get over quicker. Now, that’s the worst thing you can do. I know you feel like you don’t have time to take your break or remove yourself from the situation. But even a mere 5 minutes, just to clear your mind and recharge, will make all the difference in the world. You can’t afford not to. Too many mistakes can be made when you’re running on empty.
- I use the Empowered Nurses Clarity Cards and other cards to give me answers when I’m struggling with something. These can be an effective tool to help re-center you and put you in a better frame of mind so that you can get through the day. http://www.empowerednursescards.com
What tools do you use to help you to get through the day? I’d love to hear in the comments below.
